Stay Calm, breath in, breath out, feel the moment, on the pitch, focused on each second, each tackle, each ruck, each scrum, cross each barrier, arrive at the game mentally and physically prepared, getting more and more into the physicality, man on man, wearing them down, making the game ours, taking the opportunities, playing the percentages, organised, communicating, desire, we are underdogs in each game, 1 is away, 2 are at home, we are worthy opponents, we take nothing for granted, we achieve the objective, we know what we want, we play with pride in ourselves, we grow into the game, we sow the seeds of success through the work that we have done and do, we deserve to walk away onto the next game with our pride and dignity intact. Controlled but real aggression, tight margins, when the win is in sight we will tighten our grip and see the job done, by organising, playing to our strengths in the game in our clubs ability to thrive, we block out all distractions, they will come at us hard and they will try to confuse and they will try to break down our pyschological strengths, but we will remain steadfast in our objective, we will pass the tests and our individual strengths will shine through in all facets of the game for we are worthy opponents. WE will UP THE INTENSITY and we willl overcome!
3 games 3 opportunities 3 sides who have been working and achieving a bond within their side to strengthen themselves in readiness for what comes now. 3 Teams who have been through hard times on the pitch, but who have great ability which they have proven again and again this season and last.
George Millar Reviews:
Due to the recent inclement weather three Ulster sides Banbridge, Rainey and Instonians will be playing rearranged matches this weekend in the AIL instead of Ulster Senior league fixtures. In Div 2A Banbridge are away to bottom side Bruff, with Rainey travelling to Donnybrook to play Old Wesley. In Div 2B Instonians entertain DLSP at Shaws bridge in another crucial league game.
Division 2A
Bruff v Banbridge
Old Wesley v Rainey OB
Naas v NUIM Barnhall
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Banbridge(10th) v Bruff(16th)
The County Down side make the long journey to Limerick, looking to secure their third consecutive win in the AIL, to follow on from wins over City of Derry and an impressive 19-12 win at Highfield last Sat. What will have impressed coaches Daniel Soper and Simon Best has been the form of the forwards in matching their opponents in the set pieces and the breakdown. It is no secret that the presence of Club Captain and Ulster scrum half Ian Porter has led to the team scoring six tries in their last two matches, with the threequarters catching the eye. Bruff have two games in hand and in their last outing won 26 – 15 at Naas on the 25th January. This is a vital game for both sides with Banbridge looking to finish in the top half of the table. Banbridge to win
Old Wesley(9th) v Rainey OB(8th)
Fascinating game with four points separating the two sides. Coaches Richard Boyd and John Andrews will have been delighted with the character shown by their side in defeating Queens at the Dub last Sat 23-21. Having had to play the last sixty five minutes with fourteen players after having backrow Jonny Lees sent off, they not only had to deal with a 14-3 deficit at HT, but recovered to take a 23-21 lead and endure eleven minutes of injury time and watch anxiously as Queens out half Ritchie McMaster miss four second half penalties including two in injury time. His opposite number Mark O’Connor put in a fine display of kicking to keep the scoreboard ticking over for his side. Having watched the game, Rainey were deserving winners with Captain Neil O’Kane putting in an exemplary display of ball carrying. Having a strong replacement bench enabled the coaches to rotate players during an entralling second half. A win this Sat for the Magherfelt side would move them into promotion contention. This game will be the first of two visits by the South Derry side to Donnybrook in eight days as they play Old Wesley’s partners at Donnybrook, Bective Rangers on Sat week. Important eight days for the players that could define their season. Old Wesley have lost to Ulster sides City of Derry and Queens in recent weeks. Rainey to win.
Division 2B
Instonians(15th) v DLSP(11th)
Coaches William Leacock and Mark McDowell were disappointed with the narrow 14-8 defeat at home to Tullamore last Sat. A valuable losing bonus point was gained with four matches remaining after this weekend in the AIL against Richmond,Sundays Well, Sligo and bottom side Suttonians. First up is a game with DLSP who have yet to win away from home in the AIL. The coaches and players will be aware how close Armagh came to slipping up against bottom side Suttonians last Sat at the Palace grounds. Inst have their strongest squad available and with players including Josh Atkinson, Matthew Kilpatrick and Captain Paddy Marks on board. Expect another closely contested game. The faithful turned out in large numbers last Sat to support Inst. Their support will once again be needed to cheer the players onto a much needed win. Instonians to win.
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